Katie Price's ex-husband Kieran Hayler has been acquitted of raping and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl when he was married to Katie Price. The 39-year-old was found not guilty of three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault of the teenager in West Sussex in 2016 following a trial at Lewes Crown Court.
Trial and Verdict
Hayler was also cleared of four alternative counts of sexual activity with a child. The jury, made up of four men and six women, returned the verdicts after 14 hours and 55 minutes of deliberation.
Hayler was emotional and bent over as he was told by the judge he could leave the dock and is discharged.
Allegations and Defense
His turbulent relationship with media personality Ms Price was laid bare during proceedings as he accused his ex-wife of setting him up with "fabricated" allegations and said it was a "smear campaign against me". The celebrity witness denied being "angry and vengeful" towards her ex-husband.
Defence barrister Arlette Piercy said in her closing speech that Hayler has been consistent and clear throughout his defence, in what has been a "roller coaster ride for everybody in this court".
